The household of a Muslim lodge employee critically injured in an alleged hate-motivated assault mentioned the assault in Markham, Ont., has left them fearful, because the Nationwide Council of Canadian Muslims warns of a pointy improve in hate crimes towards the neighborhood. The person’s spouse mentioned she is talking out as a result of she doesn’t need one other household to undergo the identical nightmare and no different spouse ought to have to hope for her husband to “survive an act of hate.” “We have watched him struggle to breathe, to speak, to move and to even consume a liquid diet,” she mentioned at a press convention in Toronto on Thursday morning. “The man we know, strong, patient and full of life, now carries pain that no one should ever have to endure.” His spouse didn’t present her identify, with organizers of the press convention saying the household is apprehensive about their security. Story continues under commercial She mentioned her husband, “a Muslim man simply doing the job,” was left with a scarred face and damaged enamel. “Each time I look at him, my heart breaks,” she mentioned.
4:15Ontario household pleads for justice after brutal Islamophobic assault on Muslim lodge employee Steven Zhou, a spokesperson for the NCCM, mentioned the Sept. 28 assault brought on a cranium fracture and a displaced eye.
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For information impacting Canada and around the globe, join breaking information alerts delivered on to you once they occur. “Due to severity of his injuries, the victim’s jaw must now be wired shut to facilitate healing,” he mentioned. “He cannot eat, he cannot speak. He may never actually regain his full eyesight again.” To this point this yr, the NCCM has recorded a rise of 35 per cent in hate crimes towards Muslims in comparison with final yr, Zhou mentioned. York Regional Police have mentioned they’re investigating the assault at a Markham lodge as hate-motivated and a suspect has been arrested within the case. Story continues under commercial Police allege an intoxicated lodge visitor turned aggressive after his bank card was declined when he tried to pay for his room, and his “demeanour changed” when he discovered that the lodge worker was Muslim. Investigators allege the 31-year-old suspect threatened to kill the 54-year-old worker after which chased him to a room the place he attacked him violently. Deputy Police Chief Kevin McCloskey mentioned the force’s hate crime unit is investigating. Trending Now
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Extra on CrimeExtra movies “I am saddened and upset, like everyone,” he mentioned. “There is no place within York Region, and there is no place within this province or this country, for hate and intolerance.” Ottawa’s particular consultant on combating Islamophobia, Amira Elghawaby, mentioned it wasn’t an remoted case and such assaults have grow to be extra frequent. She demanded “urgent immediate action” to deal with the difficulty. “To my fellow community members, to Muslims across Canada: our safety is non-negotiable. To decision makers everywhere: your responsibility to upholding our safety is non-negotiable,” she mentioned. “Anyone accused of such heinous acts of violence must face the full consequences of the law,” she added. “The messages from society must be as resounding as possible to condemn this type of hatred.” Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti additionally mentioned he was shocked and deeply saddened by the “vicious attack.” Story continues under commercial “I want to make it very, very clear that Islamophobia and hate has no room, has no home, in Markham,” he mentioned. The sufferer’s daughter, who additionally didn’t share her identify as a result of security considerations, mentioned the household is grateful for the assist they’ve obtained. “But I need to be honest — standing here today, I feel heartbroken, angry and exhausted. What happened to my father should have never happened,” she mentioned. “Most people can’t imagine what it is like to see your father or your husband beaten almost to death.” She mentioned the assault has left a everlasting mark on the household. “Each day passes, the reality of what happened hits harder,” she mentioned. “The shock, the fear, the injustice, it doesn’t fade.” © 2025 The Canadian Press
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